Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class J. Paul Lamb [December 19, 1913 - November 12, 1944] was born to John Franklin Lamb [October 3, 1890 - June 20, 1938] (gravestone gives June 27, 1938) and Lula Moselle (Graves) Lamb [ ___ __ , 1894 - January 14, 1924] at Guilford County, North Carolina.  He was Killed In Action on board the U.S.S. Achilles (ARL-41), a Navy repair ship, at San Pedro Bay (North-west end of Leyte Gulf), Philippine Islands during Leyte Island operations when a Japanese kamikaze aircraft hit the ship in the area where he was at.  He was first interred at the United States Armed Forces Cemetery, Santa Barbara #1, Philippine Islands, then transferred to Randleman Methodist Protestant Church Cemetery, (later renamed Mount Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery) for reburial. Besides his wife, Virginia Martine (Underwood), he was survived by his three sisters, Mary, Pearl and Francis Lamb.  At the time of his death Virginia was living in Bay City with her parents Martin (Mart) Luther and Jewel Mattie Underwood.  It is not known where his sisters were living.  His parents and paternal grand parents are buried next to him. Paul and Virginia joined the First Presbyterian Church of Bay City together on December 18, 1938 and were quietly married there by Rev. Ernest F. Deutsch on January 27, 1939.

 *Paul Lamb rarely used his given name Joseph. On his grave monument it gives J. Paul Lamb.
 

USS Achilles ARL-41
 

ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED

Mr. and Mrs. Mart Underwood of this city, announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Virginia Martine to Mr. J. Paul Lamb, the wedding to take place some time after the new year.

The Daily Tribune, Monday, November 21, 1938

LAMB – UNDERWOOD

Miss Virginia Underwood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Underwood of this city, and Mr. Paul Lamb, were quietly married, Friday evening at eight o’clock at the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Ernest Deutsch performing the ceremony.

After a short wedding trip, Mr. and Mrs. Lamb will be at home to their friends at their apartment in the H. A. Verser home.

The Daily Tribune,  Saturday January 28, 1939

COURT HOUSE NEWS
MARRIAGE LICENSES

Three marriage licenses were issued by D. B. Hinton, county clerk, from Jan 25 to Feb 1.  They are:  Jack Wesley Marshall and Miss Belle Sewell; Paul Lamb and Miss Virginia Underwood; Seamon Hayes and Quenver Farris.

The Daily Tribune, Thursday February 2, 1939

KILLED

Mrs. Virginia Martine Lamb, wife of Joseph Paul Lamb of the United States Naval Reserve, has just recently received a letter from the Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Achilles notifying her of the death of her husband. Joseph Lamb entered the service from Bay City.

Mrs. Lamb received the following letter―

U.S.S. Achilles (ARL-41), c/o Fleet Postoffice,
San Francisco, Cal., 11 December 1944

Mrs. Virginia Martine Lamb, Box 771, Bay City, Texas

Dear Mrs. Lamb:

It is my sad duty to inform you of the details surrounding the missing status of your husband, Joseph Paul Lamb, United States Naval Reserve.

On November 1944 we were anchored in San Pedro Bay Philippine Islands, in support of the operation of Leyte, where we were attacked by enemy aircraft. All hands were at their battle stations fighting the ship but one plane hit us causing a large explosion and instantly killing a number of men. Your husband was in the area where the explosion occurred. Immediately afterward no trace of him could be found, either aboard or in the nearby waters. As we had no positive proof of his death we were forced to report him as missing.

It would be cruel to hold out to you any false hope. And in view of the circumstances, it is my duty to state that we believe that he was lost. In keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy, he gave his life at his battle station in action against the enemy.

All of us that remain feel his loss. We extend to you our sympathy in the sacrifice you have thus made for your country.

Sincerely Yours, Converse O. Smith, Commanding

The Daily Tribune, January 3, 1945
 

MEMORIAL SERVICES - PAUL LAMB SUNDAY - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Memorial services for Joseph Paul Lamb, who was killed in the Pacific theatre, in November, will be held at the Presbyterian Church, Sunday morning at 11 o’clock.

Paul Lamb, husband of Mrs. Virginia Martine Lamb of Bay City, entered the service from Bay City. He was on the U.S.S. Achilles, and was in the United States Naval Reserve. From the Commanding Officer of the ship, Mrs. Lamb received notification of the death of her husband. His death came as he was heroically doing his duty aboard ship and in line of duty an enemy shell exploded in his part of the ship.

The Daily Tribune, January 18, 1945
 

IN MEMORIAM

Captain Philip H. Parker

Pvt. Jack W. White

Sgt. Robert W. Walker

Joseph Paul Lamb MOMM 1/c

On this Memorial Day we want to pay tribute to our beloved dead, our sons, who sleep in peace under the quiet sod or beneath the murmuring waves.

They are not dead; having died for freedom of mankind and with the love of God in their hearts, have found a new life. They are soldiers risen to the highest level, and they can become a living part of you and me--today, tomorrow, and forever.

In the destinies of men and in the glorious history of our nation their souls go marching on.

Because of them our lives will ever be free.

Because of them our great country will forever live, the exemplification of justice to all people under a real democracy.

Let us parents seek surcease of grief in this promise:

"Behind the dim unknown,
Standest God within the shadow,
Keeping watch over his own."

The Daily Tribune, Thursday, May 30, 1946

Mrs. Lula M. Lamb

At Her Home Near City

Mrs. Lula M. Lamb, aged 30 years, died at her home about four miles northeast of the city yesterday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock , pneumonia being the cause of death.

Surviving are her husband, John F. Lamb, three small daughters, Mary, Pearl and Frances Lamb, a son, Paul Lamb, her parents, Mr. And Mrs. J. F. Graves of Randleman, three brothers E. N., J. L. and Frank Graves all of Guilford County, four sisters, Mesdames Alex McCaskill, J. W. Manner and R. F. Spivey of Greensboro and S. G. Robbins of Randleman. 

The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the Randleman Methodist Protestant church and interment will be made in the church cemetery.

Greensboro Daily News, Tuesday, January 15, 1924
 

John F. Lamb

Funeral services for John F. Lamb, aged 27, who died in a Charlotte hospital at 6:30 p. m. yesterday, will be conducted at 3 p. m. tomorrow at the Randleman Methodist  Protestant church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will remain at the Yandle-Crouch Funeral home until noon today when the funeral procession will leave for Randleman. Mr. Lamb is survived by two brothers, W. A. Lamb of Charlotte and E. W. Lamb of Randleman, and by two sisters, Mrs. A. A. Crutchfield of Greensboro and Mrs. J. B. Arnold of Lexington.

The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, North Carolina, June 29, 1938
 

Virginia Underwood Rigby Patterson

Virginia Underwood Rigby Patterson, 84, former resident of La Porte died June 30, 2003 in Temple, Texas. Born in Rogers, Texas on March 10, 1919 to Martin Luther & Jewell M. (Robinson) Underwood, she is survived by husband, Wylie "Pat" Patterson of Temple, TX; son, Louis R. "Bubba" Rigby & wife, Marlene of La Porte; daughter, Karen Rigby of La Porte; grandsons, Eric Schonauer & son, Steven Patterson & wife, Karen & step-daughter, Jeanie Virden & husband, Gerald. Services at La Porte Community Church, 10:00 a. m., Wed., July 2, 2003. Graveside services at 3:00 p. m., Wed., July 2nd at the Colonial Memory Gardens Cemetery in Victoria, Texas. Paul U. Lee--La Porte Funeral Home (281) 471-0123.

Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas, Wednesday, July 2, 2003
 

Lamb - Underwood Family Page

School picture of Virginia Underwood Lamb courtesy of Matagorda County Museum Archives.

Navy picture of Joseph Paul Lamb MOMM 1/c courtesy of First Presbyterian Church.

Copyright 2006 - Present by Carol Sue Gibbs
All rights reserved

HOME